After extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 40 games by moving past Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, Real Madrid had every right to be confident of putting some distance between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of La Liga. Nevertheless the hard work…

The most anticipating clash of the last sixteen was up first, and it certainly didn't disappoint. The hosts squaring up against the most exciting team of the group stages. Brazil have been using something between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2 throughout the first stage, yet here it was much closer…

Both teams sealed qualification with wins in their second group game - Netherlands edging past Australia and Chile dominating Spain. There was still the matter of who was going to top the group to decide though, and the Dutch's thrashing of Spain meant they had the superior goal difference. Here…

Having collapsed spectacularly in their rematch of the last World Cup final, Spain needed to salvage their campaign with at least a point against the bluster of Chile. Jorge Sampaoli was evidently licking his lips as the events of the first round unfolded, with his side even better equipped than…

With the shock result of the earlier match in Group B still ringing in the ears, heads turned with keener eyes towards the highly-rated Chile team expected to challenge South Africa's finalists. Jorge Sampaoli continued where Marcelo Bielsa left off as Chile coach, playing a high octane ultra-attacking style, while…